- Pregnancy at risk: progesterone deficiency
- Pregnancy at risk: antibodies cause habitual miscarriages
- Risk of pregnancy: abnormal structure of the cervix
- Risk of pregnancy: inflammation, cervical infection
Every fifth woman has problems with termination of pregnancy. A threatened pregnancy may have various causes: progesterone deficiency, cervical infections, antibodies produced by the body, abnormal cervical structure. That is why you need to keep your finger on the pulse and visit your gynecologist whenever anything suspicious happens to prevent a miscarriage.
A pregnancy at risk of miscarriagemay have different causes, butthe symptomsare the same.Problems with termination of pregnancyare signaled by spotting and bleeding from the genital tract, severe pains in the lower abdomen, rhythmic uterine contractions are alarming signals during pregnancy. With each such symptom, you should see a gynecologist as soon as possible, because there is a risk that your pregnancy is at risk. You may need to treat yourself properly to prevent a miscarriage, but first, doctors will find out what's causing the trouble with staying pregnant. They are most often caused by: progesterone deficiency, the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies in the blood, abnormal structure of the cervix, cervical inflammation and urinary tract infection.
Pregnancy at risk: progesterone deficiency
This hormone is produced in the corpus luteum, in the ovaries. Its concentration in blood increases in the second half of the cycle. This is because, under the influence of progesterone, the uterine mucosa thickens and swells - then the fertilized egg (embryo) can nest in it. After fertilization, progesterone promotes the maintenance of pregnancy, incl. By inhibiting the secretion of oxytocin (a hormone responsible for uterine contractions accompanying childbirth). Too low levels of progesterone may prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterine mucosa or keeping the embryo and the pregnancy developing (spontaneous abortion will occur). It can also promote premature birth. Therefore, if the cause of problems with maintaining pregnancy is a deficiency of progesterone - your doctor will advise you to take this hormone in the form of oral or vaginal tablets. This treatment usually lasts until the 18th week of pregnancy. Then the hormonal activity is taken over by the placenta and progesterone supplementation is no longer needed. In addition to hormone therapy, your doctor may order you to take magnesium preparations with vitamin B6 (they workrelaxing on muscles) and diastolic drugs.
ImportantJust take it easy
If you are at risk of miscarriage, your doctor may stop you in a pregnancy ward or send you home with specific recommendations. First of all, you need to rest and lie down as often as possible and - until the symptoms have completely subsided - refrain from sexual intercourse. Remember that if the expectant mother follows the doctor's instructions, the bleeding will pass and the fetus is alive, more than 90 percent of the time will be cases after threatening miscarriage, the woman gives birth to a live, he althy child. It is true that there is a slightly higher risk of preterm labor and impaired placental function, but this only means that you should be under closer medical supervision. Medical statistics do not confirm that the result of a threatening miscarriage is the birth of a child with some defects.
Pregnancy at risk: antibodies cause habitual miscarriages
If you have lost pregnancy before, your doctor should check your blood for anti-cardiolipin antibodies. Their presence may be the cause of the so-called habitual miscarriages. These antibodies cause your body, figuratively speaking, to treat the fetus as a foreign body and try to remove it. In this case, your doctor will ask you to take acetylsalicylic acid in oral tablets and low molecular weight heparin in the form of injections from the very beginning of pregnancy (you must receive the injection every day). This therapy is used throughout pregnancy until delivery.
Risk of pregnancy: abnormal structure of the cervix
The uterus in which the baby develops is pear-shaped. Its bottom is turned upwards and its lower part is formed by the neck. The cervix is divided into two parts: supravaginal (the one that connects to the body of the womb) and vaginal (this part is covered by the vagina). The cervix is a very narrow canal; should only open up when labor begins. Unfortunately, it also happens that he has an anatomical defect and the cervical canal is too wide. If this causes problems with maintaining the pregnancy, the doctor may apply the so-called cervical seam or a special disc. The idea is to close the cervical canal from below and maintain the pregnancy. The seam is placed in a hospital, while the disc can be fitted on an outpatient basis, in an office. Before performing this procedure, you must still inoculate the cervical canal (there should be no pathogenic bacteria in the suture or disc in the inoculation). The suture can be placed at any stage of pregnancy, but most often doctors will insert it by the end of the second trimester. The disc can also be worn later. Take it off afterthe completion of the 37th week of pregnancy.
Don't do thatWhen pregnant, avoid:
- heavy physical work, lifting
- practicing sports not recommended for pregnant women (including competitive and extreme)
- long journeys without frequent breaks
- traveling by plane.
Risk of pregnancy: inflammation, cervical infection
The natural bacterial flora of the genital tract and urinary tract has, among others, protect the uterus (and therefore also the developing baby) from attack by pathogenic germs. Unfortunately, sometimes the balance of the physiological flora is disturbed and bacteria easily penetrate the genital or urinary tract. There is an infection in the cervix and urinary tract, which may cause a miscarriage. If the cause of the trouble with maintaining the pregnancy is an infection in the cervix - the doctor will order you to perform a culture (you need to check which bacteria are responsible for the infection), and then prescribe the appropriate drugs (vaginal globules or tablets). If, on the other hand, the infection is in the urinary tract, you must perform a general urine test and culture. Depending on the result of the examination, the doctor will order you a so-called targeted therapy, i.e. oral preparations that are safe for you and your baby. In the case of more serious infections in the cervix or urinary tract, antibiotics are used.
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